My first telescope was a Tasco 4.5" reflector on a EQ1 equatorial mount, which I was given as a christmas present when I was 12 years old. Ignited a real passion for astronomy that I have had ever since. With that scope (as a young teenager) I learned about telescope optics, polar alignment, and had lots of fun star hopping around the southern stars, with a copy of Ian Ridpath's "Guide to the Stars and Planets" in hand. I even considered astronomy as a career for a while, until I was told that there were limited job opportunities in Australia. Ended up studying engineering at university instead but continued to maintain an interest in astronomy.
I actually kept that scope until I was 32, when my wife and I moved from metropolitan Adelaide to country NSW. We gave the scope away before we moved, and then a few months later I purchased an 8" dobsonian. WOW - what a difference a large modern scope made, with views I could have only dreamed of a kid.
At the beginning of last year I took the plunge and bought an 8" f4 imaging scope and a EQ6. 12 months later I upgraded again to a Vixen VC200L with Robofocus. Suddenly what was a hobby became a full-blown obsession!!
Apart from that first scope (the tasco) which I gave away, I still have all the others, and really enjoy getting them all out when we have family and friends visiting. It's a real thrill to be able to share the wonders of the night sky with others. For example, a friend recently saw the rings of Saturn for the first time "I can't believe this is real" he said "I can actually see Saturn, that is so amazing". He was glued to the eyepiece for the rest of the evening.
